This is what I do when I am travelling on the train.
Often I see things I wasn’t expecting to, sometimes I see the same things every time. Writing this now I am on an epic train journey (actually its 3 train journeys!) across the UK and its given me time to catch up, think, reflect and do some writing (obviously as I am typing this right now).
Looking out the window gives you time to think and ponder. I use it productively to come up with ideas and solutions. For me sometimes thinking too hard about something doesn’t give the best solution. A watched pot never boils and all that :)
And I know there is something in this.
I recently had the pleasure of hearing Michael Neill (the ‘Supercoach’) speak and he talked about TPM: ‘Thoughts Per Minute’. I won’t try and paraphrase his whole talk but the gist is that you do your best work and get the best results when you SLOW DOWN. When you take time to just be, to look out the window (or whatever works for you).
If you spend a lot of your time being busy (with a high TPM) you will miss your best ideas. You will be too busy looking ahead that you may miss what is right in front of you.
Another great thing that Michael shared was to look at what you have right now. Look in your inbox over the last few days or weeks and see what you have missed. Look between the newsletters and chat, to the enquiries or connections you’ve made. All you want right now is probably sitting there.
Hope this inspires you to just sit and be for a little while. And if you have to jump on a train just for the hell of it do it!
Want to talk more about this?
So very true Lucy.
I find that I come up with the best ideas the moment I wake up in the morning. I sit in bed for a while and just “be” before the busyness of my day starts. It’s amazing how much flows out of me. I guess it’s because I give it headroom!
I do try and do this but usually means I have to escape to my office with breakfast as small people usually jump into my bed first thing in the morning! :)